iPhone launch grows closer in China

Apple has been negotiating with the Chinese authorities for almost a year now in the hope of obtaining the right to distribute the iPhone in China. According to IDG, Apple and the operator Unicom have managed to find an acceptable solution and are thought to be very close to announcing their partnership

Along the way, there have been a number of hurdles, including the use proprietary network protocols, and operators insisting on taking a cut of the income made on downloaded applications.

The Chinese market rivals India for the title of the largest number of subscribers in a single country. Even though the iPhone is very much a luxury product for the average Chinese consumer, Apple can't afford to not take part.